…Slams Minister of Aviation with Stern Warning
By Mercy Adi
The National Assembly has issued a stern warning to Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the repeated refusal of the Ministry’s agencies to honor invitations from lawmakers. This warning was delivered during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation, convened to discuss the Ministry’s 2025 budget proposal.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator AbdulFatai Buhari (Oyo North), expressed his displeasure at the lack of cooperation from the Ministry’s agencies, describing their actions as a disregard for the legislative arm of government. “It is unfair for a government agency to ignore invitations from lawmakers who are the representatives of the people. Whenever we call, your agencies should respond promptly,” Senator Buhari stated.
The warning follows a motion presented by Senator Buhari on December 4, 2024, to address the growing issue of frequent flight delays and cancellations by airline operators across the country. Describing the situation as alarming, Senator Buhari noted that air travel is critical for business and time-sensitive engagements. “Unwarranted flight delays and cancellations are counterproductive to socio-economic growth,” he lamented.
The Ministry’s 2025 budget proposal, totaling ₦71.1 billion, was rejected by the committee due to a lack of detailed documentation on ongoing projects included in the budget. The committee directed the Minister to provide comprehensive documents on the projects by next week, warning that the lack of transparency and responsiveness from the Ministry and its agencies could jeopardize their cooperation with the legislature.
Senator Buhari further urged the Minister to ensure better communication between the Ministry’s agencies and the National Assembly, adding, “Ignoring our calls and invitations is not only disrespectful but also detrimental to the public interest. Let this serve as a wake-up call before it escalates into a bigger issue.”